News

Johnny Rockets enhances executive team

Johnny Rockets has appointed Naresh Vinod Worlikar and Calvin Harris as vice president of International and director of culinary innovation, respectively.

October 13, 2015

Johnny Rockets has appointed Naresh Vinod Worlikar and Calvin Harris as vice president of International and director of culinary Innovation, respectively, according to a company press release. Worlikar is responsible for developing and expanding market development and ensuring brand excellence overseas. Harris joins Johnny Rockets in a newly-formed position to enhance culinary innovation, which will include recipe and product development, testing and implementation.

"As we continue differentiating ourselves in the competitive better burger category, Naresh and Calvin will infuse a fresh perspective to the executive team that is informed by their extensive restaurant industry knowledge,": said Charles Bruce, president and CEO. "Next year is our brand’s 30th anniversary, and we anticipate immediate contributions from these restaurant professionals while we expand the brand’s global presence."

Worlikar brings more than 30 years of strategic operations and sales leadership experience to the Johnny Rockets executive team. Prior to joining the company, he held the position of vice president of international rranchise operations, Asia for Sbarro. During his time with the Italian-inspired brand, Worlikar developed and implemented supply chain and training systems in Asia and increased restaurant growth by more than 40 percent, according to a company press release. Prior to Sbarro, Worklikar held multiple operations roles with restaurant franchise companies, including Subway, Domino’s Pizza and Little Caesars Pizza.

Harris, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, has more than 20 years of experience in culinary and product development, including stints at Burger King, Arby’s and TGI Friday’s. Prior to Johnny Rockets, Harris founded successful food manufacturing and distributing startups including Harris Food Company and Benevida Foods, according to a company press release.

"We listen closely to our guests, and Calvin is a progressive chef who we have charged with responding to their requests by bringing even more quality, ingredient-inspired options to the Johnny Rockets menu," said CMO Joel Bulger. "We have prioritized making our approach to guest interaction more engaging in 2016, and Calvin will lead us in developing more limited-time menu offerings based on emerging trends and consumer flavor preferences."